X-Ray Results Now Available Immediately on My Health Record
11 Mar 2026
Other diagnostic imaging, like CT, MRI, PET, ultrasound, and torso scans, will be available for patients to view after five days instead of seven.
If a report contains multiple results with different release times, the five-day rule applies to the whole report, according to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA). GPs will continue to have immediate access to all reports.
This builds on changes from October 2025, when most pathology results became visible on upload and some tests, including cytopathology, anatomical pathology, and genetic tests, had the wait reduced to five days.
What GPs need to know:
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Patients may see their results before their GP if the result comes outside clinic hours.
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GPs should have follow-up plans in place and guide patients on understanding their results.
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Patients should avoid making medical decisions without consulting their GP.
Dr Rob Hosking, Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Practice Technology and Management, said early access could be empowering for patients with chronic conditions, but it might also cause worry for others who see results without context.
A third wave of changes will happen in July 2026, requiring healthcare providers to upload pathology and imaging reports by default. A transition period and support will be available for practices needing more time.
GPs and patients can also use the Pathology Tests Explained tool, a government-funded resource, to better understand test results.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA); RACGP Expert Committee – Practice Technology and Management